Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
New $45M Grant Program Aimed at Student Success at Michigan Colleges
The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) has launched a new $45 million Student Success Grant initiative, the state’s first grant program aimed at increasing student success rates at Michigan community and tribal colleges and universities.
“MiLEAP is excited to announce this substantial, first-of-its-kind investment in post-secondary education that directly supports student success,” says Michelle Richard, acting director of MiLEAP. “These grant opportunities will provide much needed support to all of Michigan’s public colleges, allowing them to change institutional practices and have the resources they need to best help their students across the finish line.”
MiLEAP’s Office of Sixty by 30 has created the state’s first funding opportunity for public colleges and universities to change institutional practices that will increase student graduation rates. The Student Success Competitive Grant Opportunities guide highlights the five different categories of grants that will be available in 2024 to both colleges and universities as well as students.
The grants will back research- and evidence-based solutions to improve student outcomes in areas such as critical course success, scaled reform of remediation, student mental health, scheduling reform, program redesign, and more.
Grant opportunities for colleges and universities, and nonprofits working in close partnership with higher education include:
Quick Start Grants: Funding to undergo an action-oriented assessment process to strengthen grounding in student experience and/or develop a coherent and strategic approach for removing institutional barriers to student success.
Student Success Grants: Implementing, improving on and scaling implementation of promising reforms of policy and practice associated with decreased time to credential, increased student persistence, improved completion rates for all learners and the elimination of equity gaps.
Barrier Removal – Direct to Students: Funding to provide emergency aid and other direct support to students aimed at removing life barriers such as childcare, transportation, housing, food, and costs for textbooks, internet, or other program supplies.
Barrier Removal – Growing Institutional Capacity: Funding to strengthen institutional systems to eliminate barriers for students struggling to meet their basic needs.
Reconnect Community Action Grants: Funding for community colleges working with county-wide governmental entities in community partnerships to grow college enrollment and support adults on their post-secondary journeys.
Each of the five grant opportunities under the College Success grant umbrella will have a single application but multiple application cycles and deadlines, allowing Michigan’s colleges to apply when they are ready for whatever opportunities make the most sense for the particular needs of that institution. The first two grant opportunities are live today:
- Quick Start Grants, with application deadlines on March 22 and May 8.
- Barrier Removal – Direct to Students grants, with the first cycle closing March 22. Additional cycles will close on June 7, Aug. 16 and Nov. 8.
Applications can be found as they are released here.
Comerica Bank to Connect High School Students with Detroit Grand Prix Participants
To celebrate the return of Comerica Bank Free Prix Day at the 2024 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear on May 31, Comerica Bank and the Grand Prix will host a career conversation with students from approximately 20 southeast Michigan high schools and community groups beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in a virtual career discussion with two rising star race car drivers, along with other Grand Prix-related guests.
More than 500 local students are expected to participate in the online discussion focused on opportunities available for minorities in motorsports. NDY NXT by Firestone rookie drivers Salvador de Alba and Myles Rowe, who will both compete in this summer’s Detroit Grand Prix, will engage with students to talk about their path to success and answer questions on their own career development.
De Alba, a successful Mexican driver and two-time NASCAR Peak Mexico Series champion, will discuss his experiences and his transition to open-wheel racing. Rowe, who captured the 2023 USF Pro 2000 title to become the first African American driver to win an open-wheel championship in North America, will talk about his journey and his goal of competing in the NTT IndyCar Series in the future.
Rod Reid, a former racer himself, and co-founder of the Nexgeneracers (NXG) Youth Motorsports and life skills initiative for urban youth, also will connect with the students. NXG has helped educate hundreds of students over the past 18 years and the program expanded from Indianapolis to Detroit in 2021 and it will continue to grow in the Motor City in 2024.
Performance engineer Kate Gundlach for the Arrow McLaren NTT IndyCar Series team will share her experiences with the students as well. Gundlach will discuss her background as a member of the University of Pittsburgh’s Formula SAE squad to now working with one of the top teams in IndyCar and former Detroit Grand Prix winner Pato O’Ward on the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet team.
The classes also will connect with Comerica Bank Senior Vice President and Audit Director LaTonya McDonald, as well as Detroit Grand Prix President Michael Montri.
To join in, visit here.
Illinois’ Cawley Commercial Real Estate Expands into Michigan
Cawley Commercial Real Estate, a n Illinois-based commercial real estate brokerage providing submarket expertise within advisory services and property management, has expanded its footprint in the Midwest by opening an office in Grand Rapids.
Commerce CRE, a Cawley Co., will be led by Frank Melchert, managing broker and principal of Cawley. The firm’s network of offices include locations in Chicago, Oakbrook Terrace, and the new location in Grand Rapids.
“Frank brings 20 years of commercial brokerage experience to a market where he has incredibly strong ties and market knowledge,” says Zach Pruitt, CEO and Principal of Cawley CRE. “The opening of Commerce CRE aligns with our overarching vision to establish a stronger foothold in key regions as we continue to deliver unparalleled commercial real estate solutions to our clients. Frank has the work ethic and market expertise required to drive growth in Grand Rapids and surrounding submarkets. He’s the perfect person for this role and market.”
For more information, visit cawleycre.com.
Jeep Grand Cherokee Recognized by S&P Global Mobility with Loyalty Award
S&P Global Mobility has awarded the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup with an Automotive Loyalty Award for its ability to retain owners when returning to market in 2023. This is the 13th time Grand Cherokee has won an S&P Global Mobility award.
“For more than 30 years and five generations, Jeep Grand Cherokee has built up an enviable following of repeat customers,” says Bill Peffer, senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. “This loyalty award from S&P Global Mobility reinforces that the expanded Grand Cherokee family addresses our customers’ diverse needs now more than even, whether it be the two-row Grand Cherokee, three-row Grand Cherokee L or plug-in hybrid Grand Cherokee 4xe, which delivers 56 MPGe, 25 miles all-electric range and 470-mile total range with no range anxiety.”
The Automotive Loyalty Awards by S&P Global Mobility are issued annually. They are determined via an analysis of U.S. registration data, which shows when a household owning a new vehicle returns to market and acquires another of the same make, model, or manufacturer.
“Automotive loyalty rates are on the rise, and it’s great to see such focus by brands/OEMs on the importance of loyalty in this hypercompetitive market,” says Joe LaFeir, president, Automotive Insights at S&P Global Mobility. “Consumer demand is returning and there’s no better opportunity to leverage this type of insight to enhance and improve marketing plans and customer retention.”
Lawrence Tech Launches Computer Science, Math Program for High School Girls
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has received $25,000 from the Detroit Auto Dealers Association to target 128 high school junior and senior girls in the fields of computer science and mathematics during the 2023-2024 academic year.
At LTU, what is called the Hidden Figure Scholars Program recruits high school juniors and seniors from Detroit area high schools and exposes them to research and career pathways in computer science and mathematics. The scholars are mentored by LTU mathematics and computer science faculty and receive peer mentoring by current LTU students.
The title of the program is a reference to “Hidden Figures,” the 2016 biographical movie based on the lives of three unsung Black women who worked as mathematical calculators — called “computers” — for NASA in the segregated South during the early years of the Space Race.
The first group of Hidden Figures Scholars, from Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology, visited the campus for workshops on Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 focused on robotics, featuring a competition under the rules of LTU’s Robofest middle and high school robotics program.
On Feb. 9, the scholars had the opportunity to learn about virtual reality in the new LTU Computational Cognition Laboratory (CCL) from Franco Delogu, LTU associate professor of psychology. The CCL contains several head-mounted displays for cognition and perception research using virtual and mixed reality.
The scholars are brought to campus by LTU’s Tech Transit vans.
Blue Cross and Detroit Pistons Host #MIKidsCan ‘Piston for a Day’ Sweepstakes
Five kids will receive the experience of a lifetime at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center on March 16.
Between now and March 7, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Pistons are tipping off the Detroit Pistons “Piston for a Day” social media sweepstakes for Michigan kids 6-14.
This sweepstakes will pick five winners, with their prize being a special visit to the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center. The winners will experience and receive:
- An exclusive skills practice with a Pistons player.
- Piston-for-a-Day certificate.
- Four tickets to a Pistons home game at Little Caesars Arena this season.
- A Pistons/Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan-branded swag bag filled with a jersey, T-shirt, basketball, and more.
To enter, visit here.
Redford Theatre to Show ‘Blade Runner’ March 1
The Redford Theatre (17360 Lahser Road) in Detroit and the Detroit Area Art Deco Society will feature a showing of Ridley Scott’s Director’s Cut of the iconic 1982 “Blade Runner” film at 8 p.m. March 1.
Tickets are $14.50 each and can be purchased at this link.
Patrons will have an opportunity to participate in a raffle featuring “Blade Runner” memorabilia from Detroit Record Club, purchase “Blade Runner” illustrated prints, and listen to preshow beats in the lobby supplied by an electronic DJ from Detroit Record Club.
